Spoke to someone working with the Arizona Democratic Party.....

[brooklynite]

She agrees that Katie Hobbs should have agreed to debate Kari Lake.

[Bettie]

1. Well, can't go back and change it

unless you have a time machine stashed somewhere, so, what do you want done about it?

[brooklynite]

5. She could call for a debate in the next two weeks.

Put the burden or a response on Lake.

[Effete Snob]

9. They're already voting

[brooklynite]

10. So, Hobbs shouldn't be campaigning for the next three weeks?

The Pennsylvania debate between Fetterman and Oz isn't until next week.

[Effete Snob]

12. I don't see why it would change any minds there

I’m going to guess her campaign is in a better position to assess the upside/downside of letting Lake spew nonsense through a firehouse and make Hobbs chase it all.

Aside from which, as long as they send Kelly to the Senate, they can have the shithole state they want.

[Eliot Rosewater]

2. Why in the WORLD did our candidate do this?

[AZSkiffyGeek]

3. I'll be frank

I think there are topics about racism she doesn’t want to discuss. There was a scandal over unequal pay and unlawful firing in the state Senate and that has flown mostly under the radar. Hobbs fired an AA staffer after they complained of discrimination - the staffer was awarded $2+M last year. Lake has tried to make it an issue, and would certainly throw it all over the place.
Hobbs didn’t debate her primary opponent either, although in that case she said it was because she had such a commanding lead there was no point.

Note, I’m still voting for her.

[Eliot Rosewater]

4. Then I am frustrated about our party choosing someone with this big of a target on them

[AZSkiffyGeek]

6. I'm honestly not sure how directly involved she was

But she is certainly getting blamed by the victim, who would not accept her apology.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

7. Also...

I’m really not sure how hard those attacks on her are registering now. They tried to call her racist for being on the student council when her high school hosted “freshman slave day” and it didn’t resonate.
That was just in press releases and tweets thoug, not on a debate stage.

[Eliot Rosewater]

8. We can hope for the best. I dont know how much actual fight I have in me.

I hope I have a lot, because that day is coming.

[dpibel]

11. I guess that settles it

You and someone.

Certainly all the evidence I'd ever need.

[brooklynite]

13. If you have an informed alternative opinion, I'd like to hear it.

[dpibel]

18. I'd be happy to hear an informed opinion,

if you have it.

See how that works?

[brooklynite]

19. What part of "someone working with the Arizona Democratic Party" was unclear?

[dpibel]

20. I believe it was "someone"

which covers a multitude of sins, don't it?

Seriously. "Someone working with the Arizona Democratic Party" could pretty easily mean, "this guy I know."

Why am I supposed to credit that?

[brooklynite]

21. If I gave you a name, would it make a difference?

If you're not familiar with me, I engage with Democratic officials up to and including the DNC Chair. If I mention someone I've been talking with, its someone with political experience and connections to the Party entity in question. Otherwise I wouldn't waste your time.

[dpibel]

23. I've been here just a couple months less than you

How could I not be familiar with you?

But your references to anonymous people who amazingly support your POV do not necessarily convince me.

I understand this is distressing to you, but there it is.

I have, BTW, read hundreds--maybe thousands--of your posts. I am not convinced that I have not thus wasted my time.

[Demsrule86]

27. You are in New york. I don't see how your epertise would be any help in a state like Arizona...

After seeing the disaster that was the primary debate, I doubt it would have helped. And it is terrible advice to say you will debate now. I doubt very seriously Lake would agree and Hobbs would look desperate.

[asiliveandbreathe]

14. Ain't changing my mind..NOPE, NO Debate ..not giving a scumbag a platform..

Ballot in the mail..vote Dem..straight ticket...and...Republicans against lake..let the media go find another train wreck to dissect..

https://www.ra-pac.org/lake

[brooklynite]

15. Good for you. But you're not an average voter.

The fact that you're here discussing politics proves that.

[asiliveandbreathe]

17. Well, it really is a shame ..Democracy on the line..and a debate between lake and Hobbs

surely will make all the difference in the world..what most people miss, is the WOMEN , I know, just average voters, will make all the difference in the world..our District meetings have been awesome and we are all of the opinion that Hobbs is smart NOT to give election denier air time..media will just have to go it alone...

[W_HAMILTON]

24. The "average voter" doesn't watch debates either.

[Demsrule86]

28. Average women voters don't want the GOP outlawing abortion which they have vowed today.

In fact, Pence said it yesterday. There is a big turnout in Georgia so I am hoping and thinking this may be the third election in 100 years where the president's party holds Congress. I don't see women caring more about gas prices than abortion rights.

[Samrob]

16. Well, she didn't debate. So let's leave it alone. The more we harangue over it the more Kari gets

from it. Ignore it like it never happened and work you butts off for Katie. That's why the GOP keeps winning the messaging. They ignore their mistakes and project the positive (even lies about the positive) and what their voters hear is what they project and act upon. And all we do is rant about the fact that we can't believe they still support their awful candidates. We need to rant about the positives and support our excellent candidates. No matter what!

[onenote]

32. You think Kari gets something from this being discussed on DU?

[Phoenix61]

22. What exactly does "working with" mean?

Lots of possibilities considering I’m technically working with the Florida Democratic Party.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

25. Yes, she should have debated

No way we should let the poison from a Trumper go unanswered.

[Demsrule86]

29. Did you watch the primary debate? I suggest you do.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

33. The Repub debate? I can only imagine

I just get concerned when we don't answer the crazies.

[Hortensis]

30. The biggest imperative is to win. Kari Lake is by far more charismatic,

an attack dog who's extremely good at rousing anxiety and discontent and selling RW lies. I agree we need to get the truth out to the people, but the stakes are enormous and I can't imagine that giving her her biggest platform to date, while worsening inflation is reported, could have hurt her and helped us.

Sometimes it seems as if we're in the middle of a perfect storm.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

34. I understand your point. n/t

[Emile]

26. She was upset Lake was allowed to spread lies about

the 2022 election.

[FormerOstrich]

31. I only have a minute but wanted to reply to this

I absolutely blame the Arizona Clean Elections people for this. They host the debates.

They live here...they know the hatred that is foisted on the non-Maga citizens. Poll workers and our Candidates are in harms way. They know the damage Trump has done and is continuing to do. They don't have to host debates if one party is going to take positions that are false.

Katie tried to negotiate, to no avail. Instead of blaming her put the blame where it belongs. Instead I hear a fairly constant din against Katie. Plus, as frequently injected the criticism is from "both sides".

Why do we turn and/or frown on candidates that are less than perfect but certainly aren't perpetuates racists, antisemitism, Nazi, etc. All of us have points in time which we are more proud of than others. No matter what party those that break the law, represent counter positions need to be rooted out. Otherwise, acknowledge, extend apologies when appropriate, and learn from it. We hammer our candidates on actions and words the opposition wears like a badge.

Why isn't the side Katie on standing up and saying....WE WON'T DEBATE FALSE Q Anon topics and their zombies. None of our candidates should. We need to quit the self inflecting wounds. Why isn't Kristen and Kelly out on soapbox defending her? Why aren't we demanding better from the Clean Election folks.

I love Katie. I am disappointed in some of the things that have come out. But the bottom line she is the aggregate of her experiences and today that sum total is what Arizona needs.

Please call out the clean elections people not Katie.